Do I need to sanitize the water?

fedrocker · 03-30-2015, 02:14 PM

Help me out here: How important is it to sanitize the water, after winterizing with antifreeze, given that I don't plan to drink from the water lines? And, I don't plan to fill up the holding tank at all.

I read that great checklist that is in this forum, and I also noted to dewinterize at home vs. the campground site.

But, what's wrong with driving to camp site, hooking up city water source, running the faucets until the pink comes out, and then going from there?

I'm a rookie, so don't be too hard on me.

Thanks,

ColoradoRick · 03-30-2015, 02:23 PM

Even after sanitizing, we don't drink the water from the trailer. (My wife doesn't even brush her teeth with it but I do.)

Yes, you can dewinterize at the campsite and may even be able to sanitize but make sure, first, that it's okay to drain the fresh water tank onto the ground. (Or just bring a 5-gallon pail from Home Depot and catch the water then dump it into the toilet!)

Hey that's a good idea....we're going out in 2 weeks and I don't have time to sanitize before heading out so will do that at the State Park we're going to. (And will, probably, have to winterize afterwards...we've seen it down down to the teens in April in Colorado.)

wana65stang · 03-30-2015, 02:24 PM

There is nothing wrong in doing that, just make sure you also flush the water tank out too. You say you aren't going to drink from water supply, how about cooking, brushing your teeth, watering the dog/cat? Just thinking.... I have yet to sanitize my system (third year) but I do a GOOD flush of all lines and tanks before using after winter (will be sanitizing this year though).

Mark S · 03-30-2015, 02:38 PM

I like to sanatize my system at the beginning of the camping season because all the lines and facets have been sitting with moisture in the system for months. Seems like a good breeding ground for a science project. I shower, wash dishes and brush my teeth using the water coming from the water lines, not necessarily from the tank.

Bleach is a lot cheaper than a visit to walk in emergency clinic and ruining the trip.

fedrocker · 03-30-2015, 02:44 PM

The answer is yes, we plan shower, brush teeth, boil water, water for dog, etc.

My understanding is that the antifreeze is non-toxic. And, the service guy told me that he didn't place any antifreeze in the water holding tank.

ColoradoRick · 03-30-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fedrocker

The answer is yes, we plan shower, brush teeth, boil water, water for dog, etc.

My understanding is that the antifreeze is non-toxic. And, the service guy told me that he didn't place any antifreeze in the water holding tank.

Excellent...and you never, ever should put it in there because the tank has a drain so you can ensure it's free of water. (I'll even open all the drain lines in the RV storage lot in the winter just to ensure nothing snuck in there.)

We did forget about a 1-gallon jug of water in the pantry that we just found...thankfully it didn't split open when it froze.

Dave Lyon · 03-31-2015, 07:07 AM

I always sanitize my water system as part of de-winterizing. Although I travel with a full tank of fresh water (City Water), I ususlly need to top up at the campgrounds at some point. We take our drinking water with us and use the trailer water for showering, feeding the dog and cooking.

Campground water may be potable, but, I don't know if it is well water or treated city water. Sanitizing once year is cheap insurnace.

CampingGator · 03-31-2015, 07:24 AM

I know that anti freeze is poisonous to cats, so I wouldn't take a chance by not thoroughly flushing out the system before using water for drinking. Sanitizing at least once a year makes sense too.

**Flybob** · 03-31-2015, 07:41 AM

One of the reasons we all go camping is to enjoy the wonders and solitude of nature. If we want to continue being able to experience these wonders we need to protect them. Draining antifreeze ( non-toxic or not) and 30-60 gallons of bleach water on the ground at a campsite is jeopardizing that pleasure for the future. Please de-winterize at home. Even if you have full hookups, the chemicals put a significant strain on waste systems.

wicked1 · 03-31-2015, 08:24 AM

Anyone know the percentage of Clorox to water? I have a 50 gal fresh water tank and I assume about 5 gal more that sits in my lines? I figure 2 cups of bleach to all that H2O but does anyone know?

Witch Doctor · 03-31-2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked1

Anyone know the percentage of Clorox to water? I have a 50 gal fresh water tank and I assume about 5 gal more that sits in my lines? I figure 2 cups of bleach to all that H2O but does anyone know?

Yes just came across that on some issue I was looking at, for 40 gals 1 cup for 50 gals 1 and 1/4 cups let it set for 4 hrs or over night. You find that if you google it.

**Flybob** · 03-31-2015, 08:54 AM

Here you go.
Chlorine Solution Chart
Fresh water tank size Amount of Bleach Mix in container
40 gallons (152 litres) 1 cup (240 ml) 4 gallons (16 litres)
50 gallons (190 litres) 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) 5 gallons (20 litres)
60 gallons (227 litres) 1 1/2 cup (360 ml) 6 gallons (24 litres)
80 gallons (302 litres) 1 3/4 cup (420 ml) 7 gallons (28 litres)
100 gallons (380 litres) 2 cups (480 ml) 8 gallons (32 litres)

wicked1 · 03-31-2015, 12:23 PM

I have a 50 so 1 & 1/4 will be what I need, thanks all who posted this info

efgsr47 · 03-31-2015, 12:26 PM

I use about a cup to cup half for the 50 gals

OldCoot · 03-31-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

One of the reasons we all go camping is to enjoy the wonders and solitude of nature. If we want to continue being able to experience these wonders we need to protect them. Draining antifreeze ( non-toxic or not) and 30-60 gallons of bleach water on the ground at a campsite is jeopardizing that pleasure for the future. Please de-winterize at home. Even if you have full hookups, the chemicals put a significant strain on waste systems.

I understand your point, but I think rain water probably has more chemicals in it than the concentration of 1 in 800 bleach to water.

efgsr47 · 03-31-2015, 12:35 PM

I run it to the fresh water holding with the tank full than run the pump to flush it through ALL faucets to kill the germs that may have built up

edcronin01 · 03-31-2015, 02:48 PM

The forest river manual states 1/4 cup of bleach for each 15 gallons of water.

caper · 03-31-2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

I know that anti freeze is poisonous to cats, so I wouldn't take a chance by not thoroughly flushing out the system before using water for drinking. Sanitizing at least once a year makes sense too.

The antifreeze used in RV is not the same as the antifreeze that is used in automobiles. RV antifreeze will not kill you. It does not have a good taste.

rockfordroo · 03-31-2015, 10:47 PM

Auto antifreeze is ethylene glycol. RV antifreeze is propylene glycol.

B and B · 03-31-2015, 10:55 PM

I sanitize the fresh water tank, drink it to brush teeth, cook with it. Use bottles water for ice maker as most drinks are some other beverage. If the water is skunk like or high chlorine the water softener and filter usually look after that.

You may also like: